Father Rabbit serves as the patriarch of his family and a de facto leader within the larger animal community. He represents tradition, order, and a formal, old-world gentility. His distinctive manner of speaking, which he attributes to his upbringing in the “Bluegrass Country,” sets him apart from the other animals and establishes his role as a respected elder. He consistently advocates for a measured, optimistic approach to the changes on the Hill, acting as a counterbalance to Mother’s perpetual worry and Uncle Analdas’s deep-seated cynicism. His leadership is demonstrated through his actions and his adherence to social customs. He lectures Little Georgie on the proper techniques for evading dogs, attempts to persuade Porkey to move for the community’s safety, and presides over the formal proceedings of Dividing Night. These actions reinforce the existence of an established social order on the Hill. Father’s character is defined by his principles of decorum and reason. However, beneath his formal exterior lies a deep capacity for emotion. His great pride in Georgie’s leap across Deadman’s Brook and his grief following Georgie’s accident reveal the depth of his paternal love. He is a respected leader and a deeply invested parent whose primary motivation is the safety and well-being of his family and community.

Mother Rabbit is a character whose primary role is to reflect the collective anxiety and vulnerability of the animal community. Described early on as “quite a worrier” (12), her dialogue is consistently filled with fretful concerns about potential dangers, from dogs, cats, and traps to the perceived threat of moving vans. Her worrying provides a direct contrast to Father’s calm optimism and underscores the high stakes of the new Folks’ arrival for the small creatures of the Hill. Her fears, while sometimes excessive, are grounded in the real dangers that her family faces. Her character highlights the precariousness of the animals’ existence and their dependence on the actions of their human neighbors. Despite her constant fretting, Mother’s motivations are rooted in a deep maternal love. Her devastation after Little Georgie’s accident and her overwhelming joy upon his return show the intensity of her emotional response. Her happiness at the end of the story, as she plans to make peavine and lettuce soup, reflects a return to domestic peace and stability within her family.

Uncle Analdas is a character who functions as a foil to Father Rabbit and reflects the community’s experience of hardship through his own past encounters with change. He reflects a cynical pragmatism born from a long life of observing the unpredictable nature of humans. His introductory speech to Little Georgie about the cyclical history of the area establishes a key philosophical underpinning of the story: “There’s Good Times, Georgie, an’ there’s Bad Times, but they go. […] [B]ut there’s always new Folks comin’” (54). This perspective frames the central conflict not as a unique event but as part of a recurring pattern of adaptation and survival. Initially, Uncle Analdas provides a source of earthy wisdom and experience, instructing Georgie in the practical arts of survival. However, as the story progresses, his deep-seated mistrust transforms into paranoia. Following Georgie’s accident and disappearance into the Big House, his fear intensifies into suspicion, and he becomes a source of conflict within the community. He spreads rumors that the Folks are holding Georgie hostage and building a “dungeon,” creating division among the animals that threatens their social cohesion. This internal strife, fueled by his anxiety, becomes a key conflict that requires resolution. His response at the story’s conclusion is significant. When he witnesses Georgie’s return and the Folks’ actions, his earlier suspicions ease, and he sheepishly asks to return to the family burrow. His change of attitude illustrates the theme of The Role of Hope and Trust in Overcoming Fear, as his judgement shifts in response to direct observation rather than assumption.

The new Folks, comprised of the Man and the Lady, are the primary catalysts for the story’s events. Though their inner thoughts aren’t revealed, they’re presented through their actions, which demonstrate their values and attitudes. Their arrival prompts the central question of the narrative: whether they will be “planting Folks” who bring prosperity or shiftless people who bring hardship. They demonstrate through their actions that they are the former, illustrating the theme of A Harmonious Coexistence Between Humans and Nature. Their approach is shown through a series of specific actions. They erect a sign that reads, “Please—drive—carefully—on—account—of—Small—Animals” (78), which signals consideration for the animals’ safety. They refuse to use traps or poison against the moles and leave Porkey’s burrow undisturbed, demonstrating a willingness to accommodate the animals within the same environment. The Man’s decision not to build a fence around the large garden is based on his philosophy that “there’ll be enough for all of [them]” (84), indicating an expectation of shared use rather than control. Their care for Little Georgie after his accident provides further evidence of their behavior. The story’s climax is the unveiling of the statue of St. Francis of Assisi, which they have installed. This statue provides a continuous source of food and water for the animals and bears the inscription, “There—is—enough—for—all” (123). Through this final act, the Folks establish an arrangement based on provision and restraint, and the Hill shifts from uncertainty to a more stable and cooperative environment.

Porkey the Woodchuck is a character who represents a stubborn and cantankerous individualism. He’s introduced as a grumbler, complaining about the poor quality of the grass and the failings of the previous tenants. His defining conflict is his resolute refusal to move his burrow from its location near the Big House, despite Father’s warnings about the potential danger of dogs. He declares, “I ain’t a-goin’ to do it” (63), a phrase that captures his fierce attachment to his home and his resistance to being managed by others. His perspective is thoroughly practical, focused on the availability of food like clover, timothy, and buckwheat. Yet Porkey isn’t merely an isolationist. He’s an integrated, if grumpy, member of the community. He’s present at key gatherings, is deeply saddened by Little Georgie’s accident, and offers a gruff but sincere gesture of sympathy to Mother. The new Folks’ decision to leave his burrow entrance intact when rebuilding the stone wall is a notable moment that supports his decision to remain in place and reflects their willingness to accommodate existing animal life. Porkey thus demonstrates that coexistence on the Hill includes individuals who resist change while still remaining part of the community.

Willie Fieldmouse and the Mole are characters whose relationship highlights the theme of Community Stability Through Adaptation to Change. Willie is the community’s primary scout and messenger, a small but vital link in their communication network. His most important function is to be “eyes” for the blind Mole, describing the world and warning him of dangers like traps. This partnership illustrates the interdependence that allows the community to thrive. Willie’s own story arc provides a crucial turning point in the narrative. After accidentally falling into the rain barrel, his rescue and gentle care by the Folks offer the first concrete proof of their kindness, beginning to dispel the animals’ deep-seated fears. The Mole, in turn, demonstrates the fierce loyalty that underpins their society. Believing that Willie has been harmed by the Folks, he reacts by damaging the new lawn, an action driven by grief and misunderstanding. His immediate cessation of this destruction upon Willie’s safe return, followed by his pledge to patrol the garden for cutworms, shows his commitment to the community’s adjustment to new conditions. Together, they demonstrate the importance of cooperation and mutual reliance within the community.